Medford Vet Honored by NYS Senate

Resolution Pays Tribute to Sgt. Keith Bishop And Other Fallen Service Members Who Were Killed in Line of Duty in 2009

The New York State Senate honored the service and memory of the 59 members of the United States Armed Forces from New York who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2009. One of these members was Staff Sgt. Keith Bishop, a Green Beret from Medford, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last October.

“Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country,” said Senator Brian X. Foley (D-Blue Point). “We are particularly grateful for the heroic service of fellow New Yorkers who have fought to defend our freedoms. As we pay tribute to the 59 members of the Armed Forces from New York State who fell in the line of duty last year, I want to especially recognize a hometown hero from my district, Staff Sgt. Keith Bishop, a Green Beret from Medford, who was killed last October in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Bishop’s courageous service is emblematic of the heroism found within our military. We are forever grateful to Staff Sgt. Keith Bishop and all the men and women who defend America day in and day out and we honor their service to our country.”

Bishop, the youngest of five siblings, was one of seven military personnel and three agents who were killed when a Chinook helicopter crashed in October, 2009. He was a member of a special operations team working to combat the spread of heroin-producing opium, considered to be the lifeblood for many militants in Afghanistan.

Bishop was 28 at the time of the crash. He was a 1999 graduate of Patchogue-Medford High School.